Postgame extra: Bullpen SOS?

The Reds’ 20-game stretch is really starting to take its toll on their bullpen, which was pummeled after Bronson Arroyo’s short 4 1/3 inning day during a 12-4 loss.

Carlos Fisher allowed four runs and Mike Lincoln allowed one, plus one of the inherited runners from Fisher to score.

The bullpen has a 6.32 ERA (15 ER, 21 1/3 innings) over the last eight games.

Baker let Fisher bat for himself in the top of the sixth in an attempt to preserve the bullpen some. In the bottom of the sixth, Fisher faced five batters and let four reach – including two on walks. That turned into five runs and the game was out of reach for the Reds.

Over his last 7 2/3 innings in six appearances, Lincoln has allowed 12 runs.

In case you’re wondering about bullpen help –

*RHP Enerio Del Rosario must stay at Triple-A Louisville before a recall for at least 10 days, by rule, unless there is an injury.

*Logan Ondrusek had scoreless outings in eight of his last 10 appearances but was tapped for four runs in each of the other two games.

*GM Walt Jocketty went into Baker’s office right after reporters left. Good bet they were talking relievers.

“It’s a possibility. I’m going to talk to Walt today,” Baker said to reporters. “Those guys have been throwing a lot.”

The good —

*In the top of the first on Scott Rolen’s single to center field, Brandon Phillips noticed Colby Rasmus take his time retrieving the ball. Phillips sped into another gear and took third base while Rolen went to second on the throw. Jonny Gomes’ single brought both runners home for a 2-0 lead.

*Daniel Ray Herrera had a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth inning.

The not so good —

*Never a fan of rain delays but this one was handled quite well. The grounds crew and umpires anticipated the storm and had the tarp on before the rain fell. The game was delayed an hour, but it might have been worse if they tried to play through some of the rain.

*Arroyo’s four-pitch walk to pitcher Jamie Garcia with two outs in the fourth after play resume proved to be a killer, and led to three St. Louis runs.

Quote:

“The only two fresh guys we had are Lincoln and Herrera. We have two tough days left here and we didn’t want to go through your whole bullpen today and be really stretched out tomorrow and have the young kid [Sam LeCure] going Wednesday.” — Dusty Baker

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3 Comments

I think he would make to much money but what’s David Weathers doing these days? He might help out and pit
pressure on Masset for innings and they could feed off each other. Or atleast that would be a great thought. Mark, your thoughts?

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Cincinnati nine that day;
The score stood seven to three, with four innings left to play,
And then when Stubbs walked to first, and Hernandez swung three and failed;
A pall-like silence fell upon Reds fans, as by four runs they still trailed.

The straggling few got up to go, the rest clung to some hope;
That Joey Votto cared enough to give a freaking poke;
They thought, “If only Joey Votto could get a whack at that ?
We’d put up even money now, with Votto at the bat.”

But Dusty sent up Fisher to bunt who couldn’t get it done,
He closed his eyes in fear, coming close on none;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy they did frown;
What was Dusty thinking, it still woulda been two out and four runs down.

And Fisher went back out to pitch, to the wonderment of us all,
Then Freese and Rasmus, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had took place,
Dusty’s big decision bunting Fisher, wasn’t the best for the division race..

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled into the trench,
For Votto, mighty Votto, was advancing to the bench.

There was stiffness in Votto’s manner, imagined for the division race;
There was no pride in Votto’s bearing and a frown soiled Votto’s face.
And when, responding to the jeers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt that Votto refused to bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with cream.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he applied his expensive sunscreen.
Then while the writhing Reds played out the game without giving a rip,
Defiance flashed in Votto’s eye, a sneer curled Votto’s lip.

And the game was over, the Cardinals players had their noses in the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman to the clubhouse he did sped ?
“That ain’t my style,” said Votto. “Play hurt” the Reds players said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
“Kill him! Kill Joey Votto!” shouted some one in the stands;
And it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Votto raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Votto’s visage shone;
He stilled the rising tension; satting on the splintered bench as if it was his throne;
He signaled to the players and fans, and once more the anger flew;
But Votto still ignored it, and the Reds fans finally said, “Screw you”!

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered “Fraud!”
But one scornful look from Votto but the audience was not awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Joey Votto might not play again.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Cincy ? mighty Votto still sat out..

@panpizza — I was stunned no clubs even came Weathers an invite to spring training. But now that the season is this far in and he hasn’t pitched, I doubt it would help the Reds too much to try and get him here. It’s funny, so many fans couldn’t wait to run Weathers out of town (despite some solid numbers)…now someone wants him back.

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